Wireless Systems With M2M Communications Via A Computer Network With A Cellular-Type Back-Up Network

ABSTRACT

A communications network available to implement at least M2M communications between a transmitting and a receiving unit. The units can communicate via the Internet, as a primary network. They can also communicate via a cellular-type network. At least some of the units include respective subscriber information to provide access and services via the network. Groups of units can share a common data plan with other related units. Subscriber information can be included in respective SIM cards. At least one of the SIM cards can provide voice and/or data service via the common data plan.

FIELD

The application pertains to wireless communications via a computer network such as the Internet with a cellular-type back-up network. More particularly, the application pertains to such configurations where in connection with the back-up network, M2M SIM cards, and associated devices share a data plan with human users.

BACKGROUND

There is increasing use of cellular communications networks for the transport of alarm messages via sub-systems to Alarm Monitoring Central Stations. At the same time, there is increasing interest in self-monitoring of security systems by an end-user who might want a reported event to be sent directly to a cell phone rather than to a central station - this avoids the monitoring fee of the central station. This can be done with an alarm system that reports over the internet, but if the internet is down at the monitored location, there is no back up.

The addition of an alternative path for the alarm report over the mobile radio network is an alternative, but the monthly cost of the service, via a mobile subscriber identification module (SIM card) or equivalent in the alarm system may be high—even in comparison with the CS monitoring fees. Also, most mobile phone service providers now provide grouped service plans for family and friends.

Further, home control from a remote location is becoming more widely available. For example, a homeowner may want to turn on lights and locks from a remote location. These edge devices currently use zwave, zigbee and other low power protocols. However, the possibility of home control directly via a cellular module in a device in a home is technologically feasible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating embodiments hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While disclosed embodiments can take many different forms, specific embodiments hereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles hereof, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the claims hereof to the specific embodiment illustrated.

In accordance herewith, groups of humans and machines can be associated with a common voice, data plan of a cellular-type service provider. In embodiments hereof, a Share Plan can include M2M SIM's (or equivalent) associated with respective electrical units. Such units usually consume small amounts of data compared to the human sharers of the plan. A home owner could then share a data plan with other SIM's (or equivalent) in machines in the home that could remotely interact with the humans on the plan. This “Machine and Family” plan enables the mobile phone system operators to transport more data, sell more SIM's, potentially achieve “stickiness” in their installations and reduce account attrition. It provides secure, low latency remote interaction to end-users with their home devices and machines from a remote location via the web or a mobile phone.

As those of skill will understand, some devices or plans are now “sim-less”. For example, the subscriber module may be electronically in the device.

In the same way as family voice/data SIM's can be grouped in accounts in the service providers billing and back-office database, additional M2M, data-only, SIMS (or equivalent) could be grouped to allow interaction with the mobile phones in the share plan.

It will be understood that other devices such as locks, lights, thermostats alone or in various types of security, gas or fire detection or building control systems come within the spirit and scope hereof. The block diagram of FIG. 1 illustrates aspects of an exemplary system 10 in accordance herewith.

In one aspect, system 10 can be associated with a building or a home, indicated generally at R. A monitoring, or alarm system associated with the building or home R can include a monitoring system local control unit 12 and an associated plurality 14 of detectors, audible or visual input/output devices and the like. The devices 14 can be in wired or wireless communications with the unit 12 via medium 16.

In one embodiment, the monitoring system control unit 12 can report conditions, per plurality 14, via a primary communications network, for example the Internet I to a monitoring service facility 20. The service 20, upon evaluation, can report, also via the Internet I, to a user's wireless, mobile communications device 22.

The unit 12 can also be provided with a SIM card (or equivalent) 12-1 and be enabled to communicate via cellular-type communications network 26. As those of skill in the art will understand, the unit 12 can be configured such that the internet I functions as a primary communications network for the unit 12 to communicate with the service 20 or directly to the user device 22. Alternately, in the loss of service of the network I, the cellular network 26, via the SIM card (or equivalent) 12-1 can provide the primary communications path, or alternatively, a back-up communications capability between the unit 12 and service 20 or user device 22. It will be understood that device 22 includes a SIM card 24 to provide network access. Hence the user's device 22 can have two communications networks available, as needed, to receive information or issue commands to the monitoring system control unit 12.

The residence R might be serviced by a variety of other types of electrical units, not part of the monitoring system 12, 16. Such units, indicated at 30, 32 a . . . 32 n, could include but are not limited to internet enabled thermostats, door lock/unlock units, garage door closers, sump pump monitoring systems, external or internal lighting controls, HVAC control units, external or internal video monitors. Such devices could communicate bidirectionally via the internet, or directly if the cell phone module is included in the machines themselves, to the user's mobile device 22.

Where the internet is designated as a primary communications network, back-up service could also be provided to the units 30 . . . 30 n via the cellular-type network 26. In this regard, the units 30 . . . 30 n can each include an M2M SIM card (or equivalent), such as 32, 32 a . . . 32 n. Those SIM cards provide access to and service from the network 26.

In providing services, the network 26 can make available to its users multi-device, shared, access plans, such as Plan A, Plan B . . . Plan N. Such plans each can be associated with a respective file in a shared plan database, 40 to conveniently and economically support a plurality of M2M devices or units, such as 12, 30, 30 a . . . 30 n in the same account. Additionally, the user's device 22, via SIM card 24 can be included in Plan A and provide not only data services, but also audio per the user's request via a common machine and family plan.

In summary, in embodiments hereof, groups of human users and machines that communicate via a cellular-type network can be associated with a common voice-data service plan of the network service provider.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Further, logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be add to, or removed from the described embodiments. 

1. A system comprising: a plurality of wireless, first network enabled devices configured to transmit M2M information on a first network to a displace communications device; and access circuits, associated with each member of the plurality enabling the respective member to access and communicate via a second network different from the first network.
 2. A system as in claim 1 with a data base, associated with the second network wherein the data base includes at least one file which associates some of the members of the plurality with a common access authorization.
 3. A system as in claim 2 wherein the common access authorization is implemented at least in part by a subscriber identification module associated with each device that enables communication via the second network.
 4. A system as in claim 1 wherein the second network comprises a back-up network.
 5. A system as in claim 4 with a data base, associated with the second network wherein the data base includes at least one file which associates some of the members of the plurality with a common access authorization.
 6. A system as in claim 5 wherein the common access authorization is implemented at least in part by a subscriber identification module associated with each device that enables communication via the second network.
 7. A system as in claim 1 wherein devices are selected from a class which includes at least locks, lights, thermostats, heating or air conditioning equipment, gas detection equipment, fire detectors, garage door closers, sump pump control systems, video cameras and video monitoring systems.
 8. A system as in claim 7 with a data base, associated with the second network wherein the data base includes at least one file which associates some of the members of the plurality with a common access authorization.
 9. A system as in claim 8 wherein the common access authorization is implemented at least in part by a subscriber identification module associated with each device that enables communication via the second network.
 10. A system comprising: a plurality of wireless, first network enabled devices configured to transmit M2M information on a first network to a displace communications device; access circuits, associated with each member of the plurality enabling the respective member to access and communicate via a second network different from the first network; a data base, associated with the network wherein the data base includes at least one file which associates some of the members of the plurality with a common access authorization; and the common access authorization is implemented at least in part by a subscriber identification module associated with each device that enables communication via the network. 